I recently heard one of the best messages on submission and authority I have ever heard. Pastor Duane Sheriff (DSM Ministries) explained the various levels of authority that God has established; it answered many questions I had on this topic and I want to share with you my personal notes and comments. I'm sure this will be a blessing to you.
To understand Government and Authority through Scripture it is important to recognize that:
• God is the creator of everything, and all authority comes from Him.
• The primary purpose of authority is to protect.
• From the beginning God delegated authority to humanity.
• All delegated authority is limited and with limits.
• There is no such thing as “unlimited delegated authority”.
Isaiah 9:6 states about Jesus: For a child is born to us, a son is given to us, and the principality on his shoulder; and his name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. After his resurrection, Jesus received ALL power (authority) over heaven and earth, which he delegated to believers, commanding them to teach ALL nations to observe God's words (Matthew 28:18-20).
In Scripture, God lays out how he has established godly levels of authority, so that societies (even among unbelievers) can flourish, prosper, and grow. They are presented here from largest to smallest:
FIRST: The Word of God God's design for humanity is that all submit first and above all other authority to His Word. Contrary to what the world says, there are not many truths; truth cannot be invented or modified by feelings or perceptions. Jesus declared that the Word of God is the Truth (John 17:17). Jesus being the Word made flesh said of Himself, I am the Way, the Truth and the Light (John 14:6). The truth can only be discovered, it is eternal and universal. In His Word, God sets forth His standards of morality (good and evil), His righteousness and justice. "No one has the authority given by God to compel a person to violate the Word of God."
SECOND: Consciousness God made each person autonomous, with the power of choice, and with this, He also gave men a conscience that bears witness to the law of God (Romans 2:12-15). Therefore, each individual is accountable to God, and all will face Him on the Day of Judgment (Romans 14:11-12, Romans 2:16). However, this autonomy has become one of the enemy's weapons against humanity, because many have seared their conscience, throwing away all conviction of the heart (1 Timothy 4:1-3). "No one has God-given authority to compel others to violate their conscience, their autonomy, or their personal responsibility before God."
THIRD: Family God established the nuclear family, it was in His original plan, before the fall of men (Gen. 2:24). The family is a form of government, and although it is not culturally popular today, according to Ephesians 5:22-25, the husband is the head of the family, as long as he submits to Jesus; his responsibility is to protect, love and care for his wife, work (1 Thes. 3:10), support his family (1 Tim. 5:8) and teach his children the ways of God (Prov. 22:6) . The wife submits (not by force) to her husband; she is his partner, helper and companion, loves and honors him (Prov. 31:10-31). And children honor their parents through obedience (Ephesians 6:1-3). "No one has a God-given authority to usurp the rights that parents have over their children. This authority is only broken through the children's marriage or adulthood (once they take personal responsibility)."
FOURTH: Church Hebrews 13:17 commands to obey those who rule in the church, and to be submissive while watching over the souls of believers. Also the v. 7 says that believers should consider them and imitate their faith. Ministers, on the other hand, like every government authorized by God, have great responsibilities in the service of the church (Ezekiel 34). Submission to pious spiritual authorities provides protection, nourishment, and growth. Churches benefit communities. "A God fearing leader will not violate the Word of God, nor the conscience of an individual."
FIFTH: Civil Government Romans 13:1-7 Commands everyone to submit to those in authority, because it is God who gave them power. The people in government are called, in this scripture, ministers of God; He gave limited authority to civil government but, as the Holy Spirit expounds, the power given is for the purpose of protection. Rulers should not punish people who do good, but those who do evil (according to Their standards of good and evil and not human ideas). People are commanded to obey civil authority, for a society to flourish, law and order are absolutely necessary (1 Tim 1:9-11). The government is supposed to serve God to minister justice and also to promote right living. But no civil government has been given a God-given power to force people to violate any of the other levels of authority. An authority that promotes impious laws violates other levels of power. "No government should force a person to violate the word of God, nor his conscience, nor family authority, nor spiritual authority."
Throughout history, the world has witnessed the limits of delegated authority usurped and breached time and time again, the result always being destruction. Today, the enemy continues to manipulate these levels of authority, overturning them. This generation, like no other, has embraced an attack on all levels of authority; the nuclear family, which is the foundation of any strong society, is under siege. Basic truths and common sense are being pushed out the door. The common knowledge of good and evil is being replaced by lies and deceit. The collectivity is replacing the autonomy of an individual. Things that were on the brink of extinction are being brought back alive. And God's authority is not just set at the lowest level of importance, but in many cases eliminated altogether.
There is so much confusion about submission and authority, even among Christians. Let's not forget what God commands in James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil... This commandment not only has to do with personal and intimate matters, it has to do with all aspects of our life. JESUS IS THE LORD!
